An extendable table platform assembly for use with a multihull boat is disclosed. The platform assembly includes a pair of opposing guide channels to be mounted on the underside of the horizontal deck of the multi-hull boat. A rigid elongated platform is including having a platform surface supported by a structural platform frame positioned along the platform surface perimeter. The rigid elongated platform includes a table portion and a cantilever portion. The structural platform frame engages the guide channels such that the rigid elongated table section may be manually slid from a stowed position, underneath the deck, to a deployed position exposing the table portion. The cantilever portion remains underneath the horizontal deck and engaged to the opposing guide channels to support the table portion in the deployed position.
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14. A method of adding an extendable table platform to a multihull boat having a horizontal deck supported on either side by floatation elements the horizontal deck having a bow portion and a stern portion, comprising:
mounting a pair of opposing guide channels to an underside of the horizontal deck;
positioning a rigid elongated platform between the pair of opposing guide channels such that the pair of opposing guide channels slidably retains the rigid elongated platform, the rigid elongated platform comprising a platform surface having an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface and a platform surface perimeter, wherein the platform surface perimeter is supported by a structural platform frame and the rigid elongated platform includes a table portion and a cantilever portion, the table portion having a plurality of recesses configured to retain tableware items;
configuring the rigid elongated platform to move between a stowed position and a deployed position;
wherein the table portion extends outward from the bow of the horizontal deck and the cantilever portion remains underneath the horizontal deck and engaged to the opposing guide channels to support the table portion in the deployed position;
wherein the table portion and the cantilever portion are positioned under the horizontal deck in the stowed position;
wherein the table portion is comprised of a primary table portion and an auxiliary table portion;
wherein the rigid elongated platform includes a temporary stop element retaining the auxiliary table portion under the horizontal deck as the rigid elongated platform is moved towards the deployed position, the temporary stop element configured to generate a frictional engagement between the rigid elongated platform and the pair of opposing guide channels to allow the entire table portion to be moved into the deployed position with additional force; and
wherein the rigid elongated platform includes a permanent stop element configured to generate interference between the rigid elongated platform and the pair of opposing guide channels to prevent the cantilever portion from extending past the bow of the horizontal deck.
1. An extendable table platform assembly for use with a multihull boat having a horizontal deck supported on either side by floatation elements, the horizontal deck having a bow portion and a stern portion, the extendable platform comprising:
a pair of opposing guide channels configured to be mountable on an underside of the horizontal deck;
a rigid elongated platform comprising a platform surface having an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface and a platform surface perimeter, the platform surface is supported by a structural platform frame positioned along the platform surface perimeter, the rigid elongated platform including a table portion and a cantilever portion;
wherein the structural platform frame is positioned within the pair of opposing guide channels such that the rigid elongated platform may be manually slid from a stowed position to a deployed position;
wherein the table portion is configured to extend outward from the bow of the horizontal deck and the cantilever portion remains engaged to the opposing guide channels to support the table portion in the deployed position;
wherein the table portion and the cantilever portion are configured to be positioned under the horizontal deck in the stowed position; and
wherein the table portion includes a plurality of recesses formed in the upper platform surface and configured to retain tableware items;
wherein the table portion is comprised of a primary table portion and an auxiliary table portion;
wherein the rigid elongated platform includes a temporary stop element retaining the auxiliary table portion under the horizontal deck as the rigid elongated platform is moved towards the deployed position, the temporary stop element configured to generate a frictional engagement between the rigid elongated platform and the pair of opposing guide channels to allow the entire table portion to be moved into the deployed position with additional force; and
wherein the rigid elongated platform includes a permanent stop element configured to generate interference between the rigid elongated platform and the pair of opposing guide channels to prevent the cantilever portion from extending past the bow of the horizontal deck.
2. The extendable table platform assembly as described in
3. The extendable table platform assembly as described in
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11. The extendable table platform assembly as described in
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13. The extendable table platform assembly as described in
15. A method as described in
configuring one or more of the plurality of recesses as cut-through recesses to allow portions of table ware items to extend below the lower platform surface.
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Multihull boats, such as pontoon boats, are popular marine vehicles for entertaining. Their stable and generally flat deck provides a base for comfortable seating and entertainment that is not often found in boats of comparable size. Their low draft allows them access to waterways that would be otherwise inaccessible to traditional hull boats. The low draft also allows them to pull directly up to beaches and sandbars. It is common, therefore, for users to navigate to landing areas to picnic or relax in the shallow waters.
Approaches to modifying these boats often revolve around ingress and egress to the deck. Since the deck resides on top of the pontoons, it may sit significantly above both the waterline and any standing surface in the shallows. As such, modifications have been developed to add swim platforms, gangplanks and diving boards. These modifications require components and mounting structures capable of supporting the body weight of users. Additionally, they are often designed to deliver a body weight bearing surface that transitions from the waterline to the deck.
These designs do not address the needs of individuals who are not looking for ingress or egress of the multihull boat, but are looking for convenience and accessibility while the boat is beached or near a sandbar. In these scenarios, many find it desirable to spend time outside the boat either on the beach or in the shallows. However, during this time they may also desire access to the comforts and accessibility of food and beverages as they have while on the boat.
It may be desirable for boaters to have access to an extendable table that could be extended from a position stowed below the deck of the multihull boat. This would provide them with a picnic/dinner table at any beach or shallow location of their choosing. It would also be desirable for boaters to have access to many of the conveniences located on the boat without having to climb on and off the elevated deck.
Referring now to the drawings, exemplary illustrations are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent representative examples, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an illustrative example. Further, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows:
An extendable table assembly for mounting to the underside of the deck of a multihull boat is disclosed with the capability to be installed on either new boats or pre-existing boats. Moreover, the extendable table assembly provides a convenient deployable surface for the retention of dishware, food, beverages, coolers, etc. for use by boaters while on the beach or in the shallows. Additionally, the extendable table assembly provides access to entertainment, games, storage, and electrical power for further utility and enjoyment.
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The rigid elongated platform 22 may be comprised of a platform surface 40. The platform surface 40 has the upper platform surface 30, a lower platform surface 42 and a platform perimeter 44. The platform surface 40 may be a light weight material. In at least one exemplary example it is contemplated that the platform surface 40 is comprised of a non-body-weight bearing material. This is understood, for the purposes of this invention to be a material insufficient to maintain an adult's body weight. Although a variety of materials are contemplated, one exemplary example contemplates the use of a polymer material. In another exemplary example, it is contemplated that an aluminum mesh surface may be utilized. The platform surface 40 may be supported by way of a structural platform frame 46 that follows the platform perimeter 44. The structural platform frame 46 may be configured to engage the opposing guide channels 34 to allow the rigid elongated platform 22 to be slide between the stowed position 20 and the deployed position 24 through simple contact engagement. When in the deployed position 24, the table portion 26 extends forward of the horizontal deck 14, as discussed, while the structural platform frame 46 surrounding the cantilever portion 32 remains within the opposing guide channels 34 to provide cantilever support.
In the exemplary illustration, the structural platform frame 46 may be comprised of a rectangular tubular portion 48 and an angle portion 50. The angle portion 50 may be affixed onto the top of the rectangular tubular portion 48 by welding or other attachment methodology. Alternatively, they may be formed as a unitary construction. The platform surface 40 is affixed to the rectangular tubular portion 48 or the angle portion 50 by way of any appropriate attachment methodology such as an adhesive, in the case of a polymer, or by welding, in the case of a mesh aluminum grill. In the exemplary illustration, the angle portion 50 may include a ridge portion 52 that protrudes above the upper platform surface 30. This is beneficial for preventing items from sliding off the upper platform surface 30 while on the water. Although a variety of sizes for the platform surface 40 are contemplated, in one exemplary example the platform surface 40 is contemplated to be approximately 2′ wide by 8′ long and ¾″ thick (thickness when utilizing a polymer material). Similar dimensions of width and length may be used for an aluminum mesh while the thickness would be the thickness of the aluminum. In this exemplary example, it is contemplated that the cantilever section 32 would be approximately 2′ of the total 8′ length or approximately ¼ of the total length.
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Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. For example, the electrical conduit assembly 80 could be utilized to power or communicate with a wide variety of products that would be clear in light of the present disclosure. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
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